It just occurred to me, since the old testament, or much of it, is used by all three Abrahamic religions, there seems to be the interpretation that copulation that doesn’t have the likelihood of pregnancy is prohibited, then sex in heaven, including the seventy-two virgins must not be allowed. Think of all those salivating young suicide bombers who find out they’ve been lied to when they get there.

It just occurred to me, since the old testament, or much of it, is used by all three Abrahamic religions, there seems to be the interpretation that copulation that doesn’t have the likelihood of pregnancy is prohibited, then sex in heaven, including the seventy-two virgins must not be allowed. Think of all those salivating young suicide bombers who find out they’ve been lied to when they get there.

Wow, they must be really good salesmen to talk young guys into blowing themselves up for 72 prunes in the afterlife.

I would guess that if that were the case, the 72 virgins story would have been more widely debunked.

Occam

I don’t think it would be. Which sceptics have any interest in debunking this story?

The other story that potentially needs debunking is the very idea that they do it for reward in the afterlife. That seems damaging because it deflects our attention from understanding why they feel strongly enough about their cause to be prepared to die for it and to harm others for it.

I understand your comment Stephen, however, you are approaching it as a rational, reasonable person. I believe that to purposely blow ones self up indicates a person who is far, far from rational. They have been so thoroughly brain-washed that they cannot reason, only respond to the hatred fed into them, along with some promised rewards they will get. Some may act solely because of the hatred, but I think some others do look forward to rewards in the afterlife.

How does the exact number of virgins remain at 72? Seems that the mortality rate of muslim men would far exceed the mortality rate of virgin women. So, the number of virgins must inevitably go down or at least “fluctuate”, i.e. (72 give or take).
Or will virtous women become eternal virgins (servicing the men, forever) when they die? I’ve never heard such promise in scripture, but I wonder what a virtuous woman would think of becoming an eternal virgin, servicing the dead forever?????

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Art is the creation of that which evokes an emotional response, leading to thoughts of the noblest kind.W4U

Wow, they must be really good salesmen to talk young guys into blowing themselves up for 72 prunes in the afterlife.

I would guess that if that were the case, the 72 virgins story would have been more widely debunked.

Occam

I don’t think it would be. Which sceptics have any interest in debunking this story?

The other story that potentially needs debunking is the very idea that they do it for reward in the afterlife. That seems damaging because it deflects our attention from understanding why they feel strongly enough about their cause to be prepared to die for it and to harm others for it.